1 Legendary actor, director and producer Mohanlal will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023 during the 71st National Awards for his distinguished contribution to Indian cinema.
On the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, the Government of India announced that Mr. Mohanlal will be awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023. The legendary actor, director, and producer is being honored for his distinguished contribution to Indian cinema. The award will be presented to him at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23, 2025. Mr. Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair ( born May 21, 1960, Kerala ) is an acclaimed Indian actor, producer, and playback singer, known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Mr. Mohanlal has won five National Film Awards and several State Film Awards in Kerala, among many other honors in India and abroad. His 1999 film Vanaprastham was screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, bringing him international recognition. In addition to cinema, he was appointed an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army in 2009. He has also been awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019 by the Government of India. To commemorate the contribution of Dadasaheb Phalke to Indian cinema, the Government of India conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969 on Devika Rani , who directed India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra , in 1913. Conferred with the highest award in the field of cinema, the awardees are honoured for their ‘outstanding contribution to the development and progress of Indian cinema’. The award carries a Golden Lotus medallion, a shawl and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
2 Justice Bajanthri appointed as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the Hon’ble President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed Shri Justice Pawankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri, Judge of the Patna High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court . Shri Pawankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri will assume charge as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court with effect from the date on which he enters upon his office.
3 India signs 15-year contract for polymetallic sulphide exploration in Carlsberg Ridge
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Earth Sciences, announced the signing of a new 15-year agreement between the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences for exclusive rights to explore for polymetallic sulfides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean. Leticia Reis-de-Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, is currently visiting India. The MoU was signed in her presence. With this signing, India has become the first country in the world to have two contracts with the ISA for PMS exploration. The first contract is for PMS exploration in the Central Indian Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge, and the second contract is for exploration in the Carlsberg Ridge. Polymetallic sulfides contain precious metals such as iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, and platinum.
4 UK semiconductor company ARM to manufacture 2 nanometer chips in India: Ashwini Vaishnav
British semiconductor company ARM will now manufacture 2-nanometer chips in India . These chips will be designed in Bengaluru . Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced this while inaugurating ARM’s new office. These chips are used in AI servers, drones, and mobile phones . The Union Minister stated that a major goal of India’s Semiconductor Mission is to foster talent. He said the country aims to design and manufacture not only chips but also the equipment and materials required for them. Mr. Vaishnav reported that 23 chip design projects have been approved under the Design Linked Incentive Scheme, and 72 companies now use advanced design tools.
Aerospace company Airbus has announced that it will set up a Research and Development Center of Excellence at Gati Shakti University in Gujarat as part of its commitment to strengthening India’s innovation system. Airbus Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier announced the plan after meeting Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav . He said the company procures components worth over $1 billion from more than 100 Indian suppliers every year. The aircraft maker has established a digital center in Bengaluru, which it calls the backbone of its digital transformation. Airbus’ Bengaluru hub is its second-largest digital facility after its headquarters in Toulouse, France . The company expanded its digital capabilities in India in 2018 by establishing a Global Capability Center GCC to support all divisions worldwide . It may be noted that Airbus Helicopters in August awarded a contract to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd to manufacture the fuselage of its H125 helicopter , strengthening the collaboration between the two companies and the government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.
6 Portugal decided to recognize Palestine.
Portugal has decided to recognize Palestine . This decision comes just before the United Nations General Assembly session, where the Israel-Palestine issue will be a major focus. Australia, Canada, France, and Britain have already announced their recognition of Palestine. Britain has stated that if Israel does not make adequate efforts to end the Gaza conflict, it will recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly session itself.
7 Rail services disrupted in Jharkhand due to Kurmi agitation
The ‘ rail roko ‘ movement of the Kurmi community in Jharkhand has completely disrupted the movement of trains in the Dhanbad railway division . The Kurmi community has been protesting at various railway stations since Saturday morning to press for their demands. Due to this protest, many trains running from Dhanbad were cancelled, many were stopped mid-way, and many were diverted. The administration has imposed prohibitory orders as the Kurmi community is protesting for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and inclusion of the Kudmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution , but the protest by the agitators continues, due to which the rail services have been partially affected. During the protest, many trains have been cancelled, while some trains have been stopped mid-way and some have been diverted.
8 Trump tightens H-1B visa rules, now charges $100,000 annual fee
This is a big blow for Indian technology professionals and big companies working in America . President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to make major changes in the H-1B visa program . According to this proclamation, now a fee of $100,000 per year will have to be paid for each application. Trump says that its aim is to provide jobs to American people instead of foreign workers. According to the new rule, H-1B visa will be valid for a maximum of six years, whether the application is new or renewed. The order states that this visa was being misused, which was causing harm to American workers and this is not good for America’s economy and security.
9 Union Minister L. Murugan released the book ‘Modinomics: A Journey to Inclusive Growth’
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan stated that 250 million people have been lifted above the poverty line under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . He made this statement while releasing the book ” Modinomics: A Journey of Inclusive Growth ” in New Delhi. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan stated that the book traces Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service, from the time he was Chief Minister of Gujarat to the time he became Prime Minister of India . Referring to schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Mr. Murugan stated that these schemes are committed to public welfare. He added that under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, India became the fourth largest economy in the world. Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Sanjay Jaju emphasized the need for documentation and research to highlight the positive impact of government-implemented schemes. The book provides a detailed account of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance and economic philosophy.
10 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched IPRS 3.0 for standardization of industrial parks
To celebrate the success of the decade-long ” Make in India ” program , Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the Industrial Parks Efficiency Assessment System (PRS) 3.0 in New Delhi . The assessment system, developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, aims to further strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of industrial infrastructure. Shri Goyal informed that under NICDC, the government is developing 20 “plug and play” industrial parks and smart cities, four of which have already been completed. Building on its pilot/experimental phase in 2018 and the IPRS 2.0 launched in 2021, the third version has been implemented with new parameters. It also includes elements such as affordability, environmentally friendly infrastructure, logistics connectivity, digital infrastructure, skills connectivity, and sensitively addressing tenant concerns.
11 Union Commerce & Industry Minister launches Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 to boost India’s digital trade and export competitiveness
On the occasion of the Make in India decade-long celebrations , Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal launched the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 in New Delhi , furthering India’s journey towards a digitally empowered, investment-ready, and export-competitive economy. The system will help in real-time monitoring and assessment of logistics performance, leading to better planning, higher efficiency, and cost reduction. Developed by NICDC Logistics Data Services (NLDSL), LDB 2.0 is a significantly advanced logistics tracking platform that enables improved multi-modal shipment visibility as well as deep-sea export container tracking.